High-efficiency inverter brings GaN power to medium-voltage motor drives

Efficient Power Conversion Corporation (EPC) has released the EPC9196, a high-performance 25 ARMS, three-phase BLDC motor drive inverter reference design powered by the EPC2304 eGaN FET. The design is specifically designed for medium-voltage (96V to 150V) battery-powered motor drive applications, including steering systems in automated guided vehicles (AGVs), traction motors in compact autonomous vehicles, and precision motor joints in robotics.

The solution fills a critical gap in the motor drive reference design landscape. With no other available reference designs operating at this voltage and current combination, the company offers system designers a compact, efficient, and ready-to-deploy solution that accelerates development and optimises system performance in the lower end of the 25–400ARMS application range.

At the heart of the EPC9196 is the EPC2304, a 200V-rated, 3.5mΩ (typical) eGaN FET in a thermally enhanced QFN package. Selected for its exceptionally low RDS(on) and unmatched performance in compact form factors, the EPC2304 allows the EPC9196 to deliver up to 35Apk (25ARMS) phase current at switching frequencies up to 100kHz. This performance translates to low switching losses, minimal dead time, and a smooth, low-noise motor drive profile even at high PWM speeds.

Key features of the EPC9196 include:

• Wide input voltage range from 30V to 170V
• Integrated gate drivers, housekeeping power, current and voltage sense, over-current protection, and thermal monitoring
• Compatible with multiple motor drive controller platforms from Microchip, ST, TI, and Renesas
• dv/dt control optimised for motor drive applications (<10 V/ns)
• Ready for sensorless or encoder-based control configurations

The design has been validated in real-world conditions, powering a 3kW servo motor at 150VDC and 60kHz switching frequency. It delivers clean waveforms with minimal ringing and demonstrates exceptional thermal behaviour with and without a heatsink, making it ideal for bench evaluation and production-intent prototyping.

“With the introduction of the EPC9196, we’re enabling engineers working in robotics, AGVs, and compact EVs to take full advantage of GaN’s superior performance without redesigning for high current,” said Marco Palma, director of Motor Drive Systems and Applications at EPC.